The BTOSC Christmas is a annual event that combines some winter sailing with a informal  seasonally themed sit-down meal at a restaurant close to where we have moored.   In previous years the meal has been booked at the Folly in Cowes,  the Red Duster Cowes, the Ship in Lymington and SeaShells in Hythe.  This event often delivers some enjoyable sailing.

We had two yachts out for this event and were joined for our Christmas Dinner by one or two members who traveled separately. This report is from Viola. Sea Essay was the second yacht. Viola slipped on the Friday for an uneventful evening passage to Cowes. We moored in Cowes Yacht Haven for the night.

Next day, our initial focus was a bouy’s challenge which took us out towards the Eastern Solent before our planned meet up / dinner with the crew on Sea Essay later in the day.

The last bouy we targetted was the red PHM at the North end of Southampton Docks near Elling Mill.

After which our passage was blocked while a huge container ship was turned with the aid of tugs near Marchwood….

We then locked in at Hythe Marina and managed to secure a berth near Sea Essay.

Sea Essay in Hythe

If I recall correctly we won the Bouy’s Challenge and the crew on Sea Essay won the Quiz. Many thanks to Mick for organising both of these these and the event overall.

Dinner that night was at a restaurant the village. This was followed by ‘afters’ : Cheese, Biscuits and some refreshments back on Sea Essay as the larger of the two yacht.

Sunday

 

On Sunday, we had a leisurely sail back to Hamble where we explored up the river before refueling and and clearing the boat by about 4PM.